Adams on the 11th
This picture, which I took last year at the CNE, reminds me of an even lesser known book written by Adams (with John Lloyd). The book is called The Meaning of Liff:
In Life*, there are many hundreds of common experiences, feelings, situations and even objects which we all know and recognize, but for which no words exist. On the other hand, the world is littered with thousands of spare words which spend their time doing nothing but loafing about on signposts pointing at places. Our job, as we see it, is to get these words down off the signposts and into the mouths of babes and sucklings and so on, where they can start earning their keep in everyday conversation and make a more positive contribution to society.
*And, indeed, in Liff.
Today's Quotes:
AMERSHAM (n.)
The sneeze which tickles but never comes. (Thought to derive from the Metropolitan Line tube station of the same name where the rails always rattle but the train never arrives.)
BRYMBO (n.)
The single unappetising bun left in a baker's shop after four p.m.
DIDLING (participial vb.)
The process of trying to work out who did it when reading a whodunit, and trying to keep your options open so that when you find out you can allow yourself to think that you knew perfectly well who it was all along.
GLASGOW (n.)
The feeling of infinite sadness engendered when walking through a place filled with happy people fifteen years younger than yourself.
LIFF (n.)
A book, the contents of which are totally belied by its cover. For instance, any book the dust jacket of which bears the words 'This book will change your life'.
MALIBU (n.)
The height by which the top of a wave exceeds the height to which you have rolled up your trousers.
MILWAUKEE (n.)
The melodious whistling, chanting and humming tone of the milwaukee can be heard whenever a public lavatory is entered. It is the way the occupants of the cubicles have of telling you there's no lock on their door and you can't come in.
PLYMOUTH (vb.)
To relate an amusing story to someone without remembering that it was they who told it to you in the first place.
ROCHESTER (n.)
One who is able to gain occupation of the armrest on both sides of their cinema or aircraft seat.
VANCOUVER (n.)
The technical name for one of those huge trucks with whirling brushes on the bottom used to clean streets.
WOKING (participial vb.)
Standing in the kitchen wondering what you came in here for.
YESNABY (n.)
A 'yes, maybe' which means 'no'.